BRUSHSTROKES OF REVENGE

Matthias shook his head, still smiling.

The orchestra continued playing around them, and for a moment, the ballroom seemed almost normal again.

Couples moved across the polished floor beneath the chandeliers. Waiters passed between the guests carrying trays of champagne. Conversations rose and fell around them, mixed with occasional laughter.

Yet something had changed.

Mindy could feel it.

The easy amusement between her and Matthias had faded into something more alert. The conversation was still quiet, but both of them were paying attention to everything happening around them.

Matthias’s gaze briefly moved past Mindy’s shoulder.

His expression changed.

Only slightly.

But Mindy noticed.

She followed his line of sight.

The waiter was gone.

Mindy frowned.

A moment earlier, the man had been standing near the staircase.

Now there was no sign of him.

”Do you see him?” she asked quietly.

Matthias didn’t answer immediately.

His eyes moved across the ballroom without appearing to search.

”No.”

The music continued, but Mindy’s attention was no longer on the dance.

Something about the room felt wrong.

She glanced toward the staircase again.

Mindy’s eyes narrowed.

”Don’t look.”

Matthias immediately stopped himself from turning.

”What?”

”Two more near the exit.” Mindy said

His jaw tightened.

”They’re watching you too.”

Matthias’s gaze remained on her.

”You’re remarkably calm for someone who just told me I might be in danger.”

Mindy shrugged.

”Panic doesn’t help anyone.”

”You’re right.”

His voice was quieter now.

She studied him for a moment.

For a moment, they continued dancing.

The orchestra played a slow, graceful waltz, and the ballroom appeared as elegant as ever. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over the polished marble, while the guests moved in measured circles beneath them, their gowns and tuxedos gliding through the room.

Yet the beauty felt strangely fragile.

Mindy could still sense something wrong beneath the music and laughter.

At the edge of the ballroom, Wade’s attention had also shifted.

He had been watching the room from near the bar when he noticed the same waiter.

The man’s movements were smooth, but there was something deliberate about them.

He set down his glass and shifted closer to Ana, positioning himself between her and the crowded room.

”Stay close to me.”

Ana frowned.

”Why?”

”Just do it.”

She looked at him suspiciously but didn’t argue. Something in his tone erased the humor from her expression.

Across the room, Dante had noticed the same thing.

His gaze met Wade’s for a brief moment.

Neither man spoke.

They didn’t need to.

Something was wrong.

Meanwhile, Layton stood near the edge of the ballroom.

His eyes remained fixed on Mindy.

She was still dancing with Matthias.

And she was smiling.

Not the polite smile she gave business associates.

Not the restrained smile she used around the Hawthorne family.

A genuine smile.

The kind Layton hadn’t seen from her in a long time.

Missy gently tugged at his arm.

”Layton?”

He didn’t respond.

His gaze remained on the dance floor.

”It’s just a dance,” Missy said softly.

Layton finally looked at her.

”I know.”

But his voice was cold.

He turned his attention back toward Matthias.

Layton knew exactly what kind of man Matthias King was.

Wherever Matthias appeared, trouble wasn’t usually far behind.

That was why Layton hadn’t wanted Mindy here.

He had known Matthias was coming.

He had deliberately avoided bringing Mindy to the event because he didn’t want her anywhere near him.

But somehow, she had come anyway.

And now she was standing beside the most dangerous man in the room as if she belonged there.

Layton’s jaw tightened.

Then his gaze swept across the ballroom.

He noticed the subtle irregularities.

The waiters moving too carefully.

The security guards watching Matthias for too long.

The unusual number of people near the exits.

His instincts immediately sharpened.

Something was wrong.

He turned slightly.

”Mike.”

Mike appeared beside him.

”Sir?”

”Call five more bodyguards.”

Mike’s expression changed.

”Five?”

”Keep them out of sight.”

Layton’s voice was low.

”Position them near the exits and the upper balcony.”

He paused.

”No one moves unless I give the order.”

Mike nodded.

”Understood.”

”Don’t alert hotel security yet.”

Mike hesitated.

”Sir—”

”Keep it quiet.”

Layton’s gaze returned to the dance floor.

”The last thing we need is panic.”

Mike nodded and disappeared into the crowd.

On the dance floor, the orchestra shifted into a softer rhythm.

Mindy noticed Matthias’s attention moving toward the far corner.

The suspicious waiter had returned.

This time, he was carrying a fresh tray of champagne.

His movements looked perfectly normal.

But his eyes didn’t.

They kept moving between Matthias and the exits.

Mindy leaned closer.

”He’s back.”

”I see him.” ”He has blood on his left sleeve.”

Mindy’s expression hardened.

The music reached its final note.

Applause filled the ballroom.

Mindy and Matthias slowly stepped apart.

To everyone watching, they looked like an ordinary couple finishing a dance.

But both of them knew better.

Matthias inclined his head.

”Thank you for the warning.”

”Don’t thank me yet.”

She glanced toward the staircase.

”It’s not over.”

His eyes followed hers.

”Stay close to your friends.”

”You too.”

Before turning away, Matthias looked back at her.

”Thank you, Miss Wilson.”

Mindy raised an eyebrow.

”For what?”

His voice softened.

”For seeing me.”

She understood what he meant.

Her expression softened.

”Anytime, Mr. King.”

Matthias turned away and gave Dante a subtle signal.

Zac, who had been talking animatedly with Ana, immediately noticed the change in Matthias’s expression.

His smile disappeared.

”What happened?”

Dante didn’t answer.

He simply looked toward the staircase.

Zac followed his gaze.

His expression became serious.

Across the ballroom, Wade had already moved closer to Ana.

”Stay with me.”

Ana nodded.

Something was coming.

And everyone who had noticed it was preparing in their own way.

The waiter near the staircase slipped through a side door.

Wade’s eyes followed him.

Dante’s hand moved toward the inside of his jacket.

Matthias’s gaze swept across the ballroom before briefly settling on Mindy.

She met his eyes.

Neither spoke.

A silent understanding passed between them.

Before Mindy could reach Wade and Ana, Layton stepped in front of her and caught her by the wrist.

”Stay with me,” he whispered.

Mindy immediately tried to pull free.

”Have you lost your mind, Mr. President? Can’t you leave me alone?”

Layton’s grip tightened slightly.

”You weren’t this aggressive when you were dancing with him.”

Mindy gave him a cold look.

”Mind your own business.”

For a moment, irritation flashed across Layton’s face. He forced himself to calm down and lowered his voice.

”Don’t leave my side. This place isn’t safe.”

Mindy stared at him.

”I’ll take you home myself.”

She looked at him as though he had suddenly grown two heads.

”I’m not going anywhere with you. Leave me alone.”

She jerked her wrist out of his grasp and turned to walk away.

Layton moved in front of her again.

”Mindy, just listen to me this once.”

”Move.”

His expression tightened.

”Please. Leave now and take Miss Bose with you.”

Mindy scoffed.

”You’re unbelievable.”

She stepped around him and walked toward Wade and Ana without looking back.

She no longer had the patience—or the energy—to deal with Layton.

Unfortunately, she had no idea what was about to happen.

Layton watched Mindy walk away.

A few moments ago, she had been smiling at Matthias on the dance floor as if they had known each other for years. The sight had unsettled him, and his hands clenched at his sides.

But jealousy was no longer his greatest concern.

He scanned the ballroom again, paying attention to the exits, the security guards, and the people positioned along the upper balcony.

Something was wrong.

He could feel it.

A voice interrupted his thoughts.

”Sir?”

Mike had returned.

”Everything is in position.”

Layton nodded.

”Good.”

He looked toward the upper balcony.

”Keep everyone alert.”

Mike nodded and left again.

Layton’s eyes returned to Mindy.

For some reason, he couldn’t shake the feeling that tonight was going to change everything.

The orchestra began another song, and little by little, the guests returned to the dance floor. Laughter and conversation once again filled the ballroom, restoring the appearance of a normal evening.

But beneath the elegant music and glittering chandeliers, the tension had not disappeared.

Emily stood near the edge of the crowd with Missy beside her. Her gaze followed Mindy as she walked away from Layton.

”She danced with that masked man,” Missy said bitterly. ”And now she’s making a scene with Layton as well. Why does she always have to draw everyone’s attention?”

Missy’s expression darkened as she watched Mindy.

Emily lowered her voice.

”She’s just like her mother. Always trying to place herself at the center of everything.”

”She isn’t pretending to be obedient anymore,” Emily said with a scoff. ”She’s finally showing her true nature.”

”Let her,” Missy added, her gaze turning cold. ”She can make as much noise as she wants. She still can’t compete with me.”

Mindy looked toward the staircase one more time.

And the man near the side entrance slowly reached inside his jacket.

The night was far from over.

And the dance had only just begun.